EFCC Arraigns Three Ex-Bankers, One Other For Alleged N15.9m Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned three former bankers from Access Bank plc, and one other, for allegedly stealing the sum of N15,9m meant for evacuation to the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The suspects, Ogbu K. Ibekwem, Nwagbara Chidimma and Uwaezuoke Raymond and Chidubem A. Mgbeke, were arraigned by the Enugu Zonal Command of the EFCC on Tuesday, before Justice Mohammed G. Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu State.
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Ibekwem, Chidimma and Raymond were handed over to the EFCC on 22nd February 2023 by Access Bank plc for pilfering N15.9 before it was evacuated to the bullion unit of the bank for subsequent movement to the Central Bank of Nigeria.
According to EFCC, they were former staff of the Nottidge branch of the bank in Onitsha, Anambra State.
They were then arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing to the tune of N15. 9.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Ogbu Kingsley Ibekwe and Chidubem Angela Mgbeke sometimes in January 2023 in Onitsha, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit; retaining the sum of N7, 996, 800. 00 ( Seven million, nine hundred and ninety-six thousand, eight hundred naira) meant for evacuation to the Central Bank of Nigeria and property of Access Bank Plc Nottidge Branch, Onitsha which you knew or ought to have known to be proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 20 (b).”
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They pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to them, and in view of their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Ahmad Y. Abdullahi, prayed the court for a trial date.
He also urged the court to remand the defendants at Enugu State Correctional facility.
The defence counsel, O. O. Orji, however, informed the court of a bail application already placed before it.
The presiding judge then adjourned the matter to 22nd May 2024 for trial.
The defendants were remanded at the EFCC custody pending the hearing of bail application.
